She Took The Stage For Her Dying Father — And Made All Of America Cry

When 13-year-old Evie Clair walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, she carried more than just a dream — she carried the weight of a family fighting against time. In a voice trembling but determined, she shared why she was there: to sing for her father, who was battling stage 4 colon cancer.

It was a story that immediately struck a chord with the judges, the audience, and millions watching from home. But no one could have predicted the emotional rollercoaster that was about to unfold.

Evie Clair’s journey to the AGT stage wasn’t a stroke of luck. She had auditioned not once, not twice, but three times before finally earning her place. This time, however, the stakes were personal. With every note she sang, she wasn’t just chasing a title or a prize.

She was giving her father a reason to smile, a reason to hold on just a little longer. Her audition song, "Arms" by Christina Perri, was a heartfelt promise — a lyrical embrace meant to shield her father from the harshness of reality. Christina Perri herself praised the rendition, but no compliment could match the pride shining in her father’s eyes.

Her father, Amos Abplanalp, had been a pillar of courage and optimism. He cheered from the sidelines, his frail body no match for the power of his spirit. Evie would later recall, “My dad was one of the bravest people I knew. He always taught us to follow our dreams. He taught me that after I start something, I have to finish it.” Those words weren’t just a tribute — they became her mantra as the competition intensified.

Then, life delivered its cruelest blow. On September 7th, just two days after Evie secured her spot in the AGT finals, her father passed away.

The loss was devastating. The audience, the judges, and fellow contestants alike braced themselves for news that Evie would understandably step away from the competition. Instead, she chose to honor her father the way he would have wanted — by finishing what she started. She declined the producers’ offer to return next year, determined to see her journey through to the very end.

Her final performances were more than songs. They were living memorials — every lyric wrapped in grief, love, and the aching wish that her father could hear her just one more time. She didn’t win the season, finishing in the Bottom 5 of the Top 10, but victory was never her endgame. Her bravery, raw vulnerability, and unshaken faith left an imprint far deeper than any trophy.

Behind the scenes, AGT made special accommodations for Evie. Known for her modesty inspired by her faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the wardrobe team ensured that every outfit respected her standards. The woman in charge often bought double the fabric, crafting skirts that flowed long and gracefully. Every detail was a quiet testament to the show’s respect for her courage and values.

When Evie Clair sang, the world paused. For a minute, the glittering AGT stage became a sanctuary of hope, pain, and defiance against the cruelty of fate. She wasn’t just a contestant — she was every daughter, every child who’s ever wished for more time, who’s ever whispered “I love you” through a melody because words alone could never suffice.

Evie Clair’s journey wasn’t about winning America’s Got Talent. It was about showing America — and the world — that sometimes, the purest form of strength is a teenage girl standing under bright lights, her heart breaking, yet still singing for the person who made her believe in dreams in the first place.